Copy and reuse components

Learn how to copy and reuse parametric components within an assembly in a Fusion design.

You can reuse components in a design by either creating a copy that remains linked to the original, or that diverges from it. You can also reference external designs as components in the current design.

There are three commands to help you reuse components: Paste, Paste New, and Insert into Current Design.

Paste

Use the Paste command to create an identical copy of a component. All copies maintain a linked association with each other. When you change one copy, all of the copies created using Paste update to reflect the same changes.

1. In the browser, right-click the component.
2. Click Copy.
3. Right-click the parent component that you want to nest the copied component within.
4. Click Paste.
5. Use the manipulator handles or adjust the settings in the Move/Copy dialog to position the component.
6. Click OK.

The new copy of the component displays in the browser and in the canvas.

• The two components share the same name, except for the designations :1 and :2 at the end.
• You can position each copy independently within the assembly.

Paste New

Use the Paste New command to create an independent copy of a component. Each copy is unique. When you change one copy, none of the copies created using Paste New will update to reflect the changes.

1. In the browser, right-click the component.
2. Click Copy.
3. Optional: Open the destination Fusion design if you are copying the component to a different design.
4. Right-click the parent component that you want to nest the copied component within.
5. Click Paste New.
6. Use the manipulator handles or adjust the settings in the Move/Copy dialog to position the component.
7. Click OK.

The new copy of the component displays in the browser and in the canvas.

• The new component has a unique name.
• You can position each copy independently within the assembly.

Insert into Current Design

Use the Insert into Current Design command to reference an external Fusion design as an External Component (xref) within the assembly of the current design. The original design remains outside the current design, but you can use Edit In Place to edit it directly as a component in the context of the assembly of the current design. When you change the original design, either from within the current design or by opening and editing it directly, the changes are reflected everywhere the design is referenced.

1. In the Data Panel, navigate to the design you want to reference.
2. Right-click the design and select Insert into Current Design.
3. Use the manipulator handles or adjust the settings in the Move/Copy dialog to position the component.
4. Click OK.

The inserted design displays in the browser as a component in the assembly and in the canvas.

• The Component Link icon indicates that it is an External Component (xref).
• In the Data Panel, the inserted design is listed in the Uses section of the current design, and the current design is listed in the Used In section for the inserted design.
• The Edit In Place icon appears in the browser next to the component, so that you can edit the external component in context, without leaving the current design.

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